The Story of Armadillo

Our rugs lie lightly on this earth.

"We’re here to make a difference. Not only in the sanctuary of the home, but in the world around us. We hope to inspire a more natural pace of life with products that are gentle to the senses and kinder to the environment. As the first Australian and American rug maker to achieve B Corp status, we practise ethical living in all we do.”

Our Process
Timelessness is one quality that can't be rushed.

Our extended family of artisans in India draws on expertise cultivated over many generations, a beautiful heritage of craftsmanship that weaves its way into each rug. We are honored to play a small role in keeping these ancient skills alive, whilst bringing you a truly unique, soulful product whose variations speak of authenticity. No machine can truly replace the care and precision of the handmade.

Dyeing

Hand dyeing and sun drying add abundant texture and vibrancy to our yarn. Recipes are finessed by expert dye-masters through years of experience. For small batches, their tools are a fire, a stirring rod and a saucepan as the dye bath. Large batches use a hand-turned pole studded with hoops, off which the skeins are hung, dipping in and out of the cauldron of dye in a mesmerising rhythm.

Spinning

Our fibres are spun using a variety of methods depending on the rug’s design requirements. In the last stages of yarn preparation, traditional hand-powered winders are often used to deftly guide armfuls of wool onto spindles, while our jute is wound by hand lengthways around a long and slender wooden bobbin, both destined for the loom.

Weaving
Our artisans work in an environment of joy, honor and respect, values which find their way into the very essence of each rug. Our weavers often work side by side on one loom or take turns to craft our flat-weave, hand-knotted and braided rugs. Every single weave and knot is done with intention, a special level of care that you won’t find in mass-produced goods.

Finishing
Hand finishing ensures each rug is as beautiful and well-made as it can be. Every edge and surface is given attention by our artisans, who skilfully scissor and stitch errant threads and the turnover at each end. This final pursuit of perfection delivers a rug that is almost flawless, yet rich with the personal touch and creative spirit of the hands that guided them.

 

We stand for sustainability in action
In 2021, Armadillo became the first Australian rug brand to become a Certified B Corporation™️ and all of our rugs come with a Declare Label.  

Our Design Philosophy
At Armadillo, our philosophy of “Quiet Living” embraces the principles of slow design.
Evolving from the wider Slow Movement, founded in 1986, we advocate for a cultural shift towards a gentler pace of life that is kinder to individuals, communities and the environment.
Our ethos is to create thoughtful and intuitive products that will satisfy real human needs and restore meaning to our lives. Our rugs are crafted from carefully sourced natural materials in a completely handmade process that brings conscious living to the fore, helping us to simplify, slow down and engage more deeply with our spaces as they evolve alongside us.

 

The Armadillo Foundation
At Armadillo, giving back is the only way forward.
The Armadillo Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2017 with its sole mission and purpose to enhance and improve the lives of underprivileged communities through the provision of educational, health and community structures.

The Armadillo Foundation is funded through proceeds from Armadillo sales, with 10% of net profits from each product sold contributed to the charity. Further financial support is generated through company-run and individual employee fundraising initiatives and events, and direct donations from customers, individuals and corporations. As a purpose-driven, women-led business, we are here to make a lasting impact on the lives of the next generation of girls, both on our own home soil and in the wider world we live in.